Holy Name’s D’ blanks Nashoba

By Kevin O’Malley CORRESPONDENT

Sunday

Oct 28, 2007 at 2:50 AM

After shutting out Nashoba, 20-0, yesterday in a Division 1 West game at Bishop Flanagan Field, the Holy Name football team will hope for some help from the Chieftains, who play league-leading St. Peter-Marian next weekend, to keep its streak of Super Bowl appearances intact.

“These kids played great. They are tough kids. I just love these kids. For what we lack in athletic ability we make up for with toughness,” Holy Name head coach Mike Pucko said. “We are 4-1 in the league. St. Peter-Marian is undefeated so they have to lose. We just move on. Whatever happens, happens. The kids will always come and play tough until it’s :00 on the scoreboard.”

The Napoleons’ offense broke three long scoring runs thanks to outstanding blocking on the line of scrimmage while their defense completely contained the Chieftains’ explosive offensive attack.

Eric Agyman scored the first Holy Name touchdown, breaking a 25-yard run on the team’s second play from scrimmage. Eliezio Marchezi added the two-point conversion to give the hosts an 8-0 lead just over two minutes into the action.

Kevin Greene added runs of 57 yards in the first half and 75 yards in the second half, getting into the Chieftains’ defensive backfield untouched both times.

“We knew it was going to be a physical game. Give them credit, they run their offense very well,” Nashoba coach Ken Tucker said. “It’s not a fun offense to try and defend.”

As impressive as Holy Name’s execution of the double-wing offense was, the effort the Naps put forth on defense was more special.

Nashoba’s offense, which had no problems putting points on the scoreboard last week against Division 1 North Wachusett, had plenty of chances to score, but despite spending most of the second half in Holy Name territory just couldn’t get the ball into the end zone.

“We’ve had a few games this year where we have had that trouble when we move the ball between the 30-yard lines and then have trouble down close,” Tucker said. “We had our chances but we didn’t finish drives.”

“Coach (Barry) Finneron put together a great game plan,” Pucko said. “We pick and choose what we try to take away from teams. You can’t take everything away. Today we were looking for the sweep and the fullback trap. They play emotional, they play hard, they play tough, even the little kids, the 125-pound defensive backs. They are going to come up and pop you and do the right stuff. We need some work on special teams and skills, but they are tough kids and that’s the bottom line.”

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.